Ceremony marks opening of new Duwamish longhouse

BYJOHN IWASAKI, P-I REPORTER

Updated 10:00 pm, Saturday, January 3, 2009

Leaders of the Duwamish Tribe of Seattle welcomed the community into its new longhouse and cultural center Saturday, with the public celebration serving to reunite the tribe with the city named after its early chief.

The opening of the longhouse on West Marginal Way Southwest marked the realization of a dream that began several decades ago. The next step, gaining federal recognition and the benefits that accompany it, seems equally arduous.

The Duwamish's "right to sovereignty is in serious jeopardy," even as it continues to appeal the government's 2001 decision not to recognize the tribe, said Scott Wheat, an attorney for the Duwamish and a member of the Choctaw Tribe of Oklahoma.

He thinks the Duwamish might have a better shot by trying a different path: urging Congress to pass a bill that grants recognition to the tribe of about 600 members.

"The Duwamish needs supporters to turn up the heat" and find a member of Congress who will "not just sponsor a bill but champion a bill," Wheat told the crowd of more than 200 people in the longhouse.

A legislative approach would bypass meeting the criteria, which Wheat finds overly broad, that have stalled the tribe's bid for recognition.

Politics aside, the longhouse seems to represent the closing of a circle broken generations ago when the Duwamish signed the Point Elliott Treaty in 1855, giving up 54,000 acres -- most of its land and the area that largely constitutes modern-day Seattle -- to Washington's territorial government.

Other tribes received reservations through their treaties with the government, but the promised reservation land to the Duwamish was never fulfilled.

Bellevue resident Amy Johnson, the great-great granddaughter of David Denny, a Seattle pioneer family, said that when her ancestors came to the area in 1851, the Duwamish helped them to survive. About five years ago, wanting to learn more about her historical roots, she became part of the Descendants Committee of the Denny family and the Duwamish.

"This circle has come back together," Johnson said to the crowd. "And now it's time for the people of Seattle to reconnect with the first people of Seattle."

In a later interview, Johnson said the story of the Duwamish is one of people who wanted to live in friendship and cooperation.

"Chief Sealth and David Denny and the rest are up there (in heaven) going, 'Yes, yes -- finally!' " she said with a smile as tribal drummers laid down a thunderous beat.

The longhouse opening included remarks from Tribal Chairwoman Cecile Hansen, and others, giving recognition to a long list of donors, including the City of Seattle, King County, the state and numerous foundations and businesses.

The on-again, off-again project cost nearly $4 million, said Chad Lewis, who served as volunteer fundraiser and consultant and called the longhouse "a story about individuals who didn't lose hope."

Supporters, both Duwamish and others, said the center did not belong just to the tribe.

"This place is for the City of Seattle, for our children and (Duwamish) children," said Arlene Wade, a fundraiser with Friends of the Duwamish. "They can learn about our shared history."

In addition to permanent and rotating exhibits, the longhouse will feature music and dance performances and a speaker and film series. The 6,044-square foot structure, built of Alaskan yellow cedar, can also be rented for private events.

The center was "something I never thought I could see," said weaver Mary Lou Slaughter like Hansen a descendant of Chief Sealth, for whom Seattle is named. "I know we're going to have an open door policy so we can teach people about our culture. It's been dormant for so long."

The federal government might deny recognition, said Slaughter, who wore a pounded cedar bark cape decorated with abalone shell buttons.

"But they can't take away our birthday," she said. "We're not going to lie down and die."